viper 5101 and flashing headlights on gmc

My 2006 GMC Sierra has a Viper 5101 Remote Start installed with a DB-ALL interface. The unit works perfectly with the exception of locking or unlocking the truck after it has been remotely started. Using the Viper FOB while the truck is running to unlock the doors causes the headlights to flash. Unlocking or locking during the day or when the truck is off only flashes the parking lights. The reason I am trying to correct this is because the truck is equipped with HID headlights and the quick flashing will certainly shorten their lifespan. My question is how can I stop this from happening. Will a different interface be able to control the parking lights only while its running or is this an issue that is going to be hard to correct ?

The install guide for the DB-ALL doesn't show it controls the parking lights. It has to be wired directly from the Viper to the parking light wire.

If you have autolights, those vehicles have a light sensor that turns on the lights when it's dark. That's why it only works the parking lights in the daytime (light out) versus at night working both parking and headlights.



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You can use one of the status wires from the Viper to power a relay that either -

1) breaks the headlight wire connection when the remote starter is running OR
2) provides a ground signal to the parking brake wire, that should in turn shut the autolights off.

Usually cars with autolights will shut the headlights off when you engage the parking brake with the engine running and the car in park.


Headlights     WHITE (-)     AT HEAD LIGHT SWITCH

Parking Brake      lt. blue      -      BCM, lt. blue plug, pin A7
Notes: The BCM (Body Control Module) is under the driver dash. It has 6 plugs, the purple plug is on the back.

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You are correct about the viper being hardwired directly to the parking light wire. It was spliced at the BCM. I tried starting the truck this evening with the parking brake engaged and there was no difference. This puzzles me because like you said, normally the parking brake disables the headlights when its in park. But even with the parking brake down, the headlights flash when i unlock the truck and its running. Any other ideas ? I'm stumped

You will have to use a relay to break the headlight wire connection when the remote starter is running.



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Is this problem common with remote start installs on chevy or gmc trucks ?

It's common on alot of vehicles with Autolights. Now that I think about it though, the parking brake engaging shuts off DRLs (Daytime Running Lamps), not auto headlights. That wouldn't make sense if you are driving at night and needed to suddenly hit the emergency/parking brake in an emergency.

Your best bet would be to have a relay cut the headlight wire and use a2 status wire from the Viper to keep that relay active during remote start. Your HIDs would regain full function once you take over with the key.

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I used to have a 2007 sierra classic, same style as your 2002.

There is no way to turn off your headlights when the vehicle is running. The parking break won't do anything.

As mentioned above, you will need to use a relay to break the headlight connection.


They fixed this issue on the newer trucks. In the vehicle you simply turn the auto lights knob to the left and the lights will turn off until you put it in gear.

From the remote starter you can pulse that contact that shuts off the lights and it will turn them off until you put the vehicle in gear.

My truck has that auto off function as well. It's default on auto but if you turn the knob to the left it will disable the auto lights, but it's only while the truck is running. Once the key is turned off it goes back to auto by default. The switch can't stay off. I guess I'll have to dig into it and as you said add a relay. Just wish there was a easier way

You shouldn't need any relay or anything. I have a 2004 Escalade and I need to fix my setup too, so the lights won't flash with lock/unlock.

You probably used negative-trigger parking lights, right?

Well, just take a ground-when-running wire from your remote starter, and add it to the connection you already have.

That is, you should have the white parking light output, AND your blue or blue/white ground-when-running, BOTH connected to the gray/black negative parking light wire on the car.

That way, the white wire will still flash the lights with lock/unlock when the remote starter is off, but the GWR will force the lights to stay on steady during remote start, even during lock/unlock.

The only two downsides are going to be the following:

---during remote start, you won't have any light-flash confirmation during lock/unlock.

---During remote start, if someone happens to break in and trigger the alarm, the lights won't flash.